Fantastic work, this hit me at a perfect moment. The letting go of the fear, which leads to freedom. His journey and transformation, inner transformation, sets him free. It’s so true of us all, I think. We get trapped. Yet the Marcus Aurelius quotes remind us, we have the power to revoke it at anytime.
I’ve had The Book of Five Rings for a long time, I think I’ll pull it off the shelf.
“Ma” — eyes gaze across the room… “so it’s real”…..it was 8 years ago, a tender age of discovering the world in real life, stumbling across the first episode of one piece while i was at it, the characters would talk, or witness someone or something …..and they would pause — a long pause, as the audience, I’m baring witness to this new discovery of human nature, of human capacity for violence, persistence, resilience, cruelty, honesty…., and so is the character — the pause felt validating, as though the author was an adult that was validating that this is indeed a lot to take in, at times the pause was during a character digesting the moment and perhaps about to speak. I don’t know and don’t care if this was to waste frames — i lived with the head canon that it was real, and sometimes what the character would do or say next, or what they would not do even was a character defining moment. I felt immersed. My humanity, my strings were touched. A real piece of me needed that pause. That continuation without explanation. No words for the logic of the situation, just paused frames with maybe some calm music, or beautiful sea or sunset in the backdrop, the character’s face still, not animated, just still, just gazing, just pondering, just accepting. No, the animation budget wasn’t the point, that pause, that emptiness in animation, it was necessary, it was a message for the young budding mind. Lingering on the moment. The danger was real, the characters weren’t gods, my mind didn’t comprehend plot armor, the risk was real, the consequent decision was final. There was no internet guru telling you that “fighting is dangerous”……The characters were without ego, depraved, tired, hungry, without shelter, without a clue of a tomorrow - a fight was an existential decision. Side characters would mirror the random strangers met, and the pauses would make me realize that they’re to be empathized with, they’re real characters to, and must be accounted for in this situation. And here i am, finally, it’s real, it was Ma
I’ve always believed that comics and manga are far more than just entertainment. They’re rich, expressive forms of storytelling, often layered with philosophy, artistry, and emotion. It means a great deal to know that this perspective came through and was appreciated. I'm grateful to share that respect with readers like you.
Writing this was our way of listening a little more deeply, and we’re both grateful it resonated with you. These are the kinds of conversations I personally live for.
Beautiful stuff this is magnificent
I’m glad it resonated. Thank you!
Fantastic work, this hit me at a perfect moment. The letting go of the fear, which leads to freedom. His journey and transformation, inner transformation, sets him free. It’s so true of us all, I think. We get trapped. Yet the Marcus Aurelius quotes remind us, we have the power to revoke it at anytime.
I’ve had The Book of Five Rings for a long time, I think I’ll pull it off the shelf.
“Ma” — eyes gaze across the room… “so it’s real”…..it was 8 years ago, a tender age of discovering the world in real life, stumbling across the first episode of one piece while i was at it, the characters would talk, or witness someone or something …..and they would pause — a long pause, as the audience, I’m baring witness to this new discovery of human nature, of human capacity for violence, persistence, resilience, cruelty, honesty…., and so is the character — the pause felt validating, as though the author was an adult that was validating that this is indeed a lot to take in, at times the pause was during a character digesting the moment and perhaps about to speak. I don’t know and don’t care if this was to waste frames — i lived with the head canon that it was real, and sometimes what the character would do or say next, or what they would not do even was a character defining moment. I felt immersed. My humanity, my strings were touched. A real piece of me needed that pause. That continuation without explanation. No words for the logic of the situation, just paused frames with maybe some calm music, or beautiful sea or sunset in the backdrop, the character’s face still, not animated, just still, just gazing, just pondering, just accepting. No, the animation budget wasn’t the point, that pause, that emptiness in animation, it was necessary, it was a message for the young budding mind. Lingering on the moment. The danger was real, the characters weren’t gods, my mind didn’t comprehend plot armor, the risk was real, the consequent decision was final. There was no internet guru telling you that “fighting is dangerous”……The characters were without ego, depraved, tired, hungry, without shelter, without a clue of a tomorrow - a fight was an existential decision. Side characters would mirror the random strangers met, and the pauses would make me realize that they’re to be empathized with, they’re real characters to, and must be accounted for in this situation. And here i am, finally, it’s real, it was Ma
Fantastic stuff.
Thanks for treating comics (manga) with respect.
Thank you, truly.
I’ve always believed that comics and manga are far more than just entertainment. They’re rich, expressive forms of storytelling, often layered with philosophy, artistry, and emotion. It means a great deal to know that this perspective came through and was appreciated. I'm grateful to share that respect with readers like you.
A magnificent, quiet essay. The writer has understood something.
Thank you, Diana. That truly means a lot.
Writing this was our way of listening a little more deeply, and we’re both grateful it resonated with you. These are the kinds of conversations I personally live for.
Me, too! You draw from deep wellsprings!